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• eco
  eco

  adjective

  ecological or environmental.
• Eco
  Eco

  noun

  Umberto, 1932–2016, Italian novelist and philosopher.
• eco-
  eco-

  a combining form representing ecology in the formation of compounds (ecosystem; ecotype ); also with the more general sense “environment,” “nature,” “natural habitat” (ecocide; ecolaw; ecopolitics ).

eco

¹ American  

[ek-oh, ee-koh] / ˈɛk oʊ, ˈi koʊ /

adjective

1. ecological or environmental.

2. not harmful to the environment.

   an eco resort with no air conditioning.

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noun

1. ecology.

Eco ² American  

[ek-oh, e-kaw] / ˈɛk oʊ, ˈɛ kɔ /

noun

1. Umberto, 1932–2016, Italian novelist and philosopher.

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eco- ³ American  

1. a combining form representing ecology in the formation of compounds (ecosystem; ecotype ); also with the more general sense “environment,” “nature,” “natural habitat” (ecocide; ecolaw; ecopolitics ).

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eco ¹ British  

/ ˈiːkəʊ /

noun

1. 1. short for ecology

   2. ( as modifier )

      an eco group

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Eco ² British  

/ ˈɛkəʊ /

noun

1. Umberto. born 1932, Italian semiologist and writer. His novels include The Name of the Rose (1981) and Foucault's Pendulum (1988)

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eco- ³ British  

combining form

1. denoting ecology or ecological

   ecocide

   ecosphere

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Etymology

Origin of eco

First recorded in 1985–90

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

eco Eco eco-

King Charles said he was impressed by the design of Europe's first eco mosque and has praised "all the care and attention which has been lavished on it".

From BBC ● Jul. 20, 2026

Environmental charity Global Action Plan also worked with the students in the eco club on the project.

From BBC ● Jun. 4, 2026

The spokesperson added the council was looking to develop "eco driving" across the fleet, starting with monitoring its vehicles' throttle usage, speed, mileage and idling in an effort to reduce fuel usage and carbon emissions.

From BBC ● May 27, 2026

The eco Dome will be recycled and reused elsewhere after the ceremony.

From BBC ● Nov. 6, 2024

The entire boat was a floating eco hazard.

From "Artemis Fowl" by Eoin Colfer

Four ships sustained damage near the Black Sea pipeline in recent days, including a tanker chartered by Chevron and owned by Greek shipper Aristidis Alafouzos, chief executive of Okeanis Eco.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026

Leamington's shop is a shared space on Bedford Street with Leamington Eco Hub.

From BBC ● Jun. 4, 2026

Eco shop owner, Kirsty Scott, is also feeling the pinch with rising costs.

From BBC ● Apr. 13, 2026

In one suspected attack in July, an explosion on the Eco Wizard tanker led to a leak of ammonia.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 3, 2025

When my father was home—and it wasn’t often, since Ernie Eco came over most nights and they drove off together—but when he was home, that’s pretty much what he told us.

From "Okay for Now" by Gary D. Schmidt

Jean Bosco Nzeyimana of Rwanda, who is the founder and CEO Of Habona Ltd., a company that uses biomass and waste to develop eco- friendly fuels that are used in rural Africa.

From Time ● Jun. 24, 2016

“Our clients in particular are eco- and health-minded, and the grown look certainly suits a girl who is more au naturel.”

From New York Times ● Jan. 29, 2014

Whatever the airport's main function may be, locals are hoping for a boost to the region's eco- and historical tourism.

From BBC ● Aug. 23, 2012

Months later, the reality is that the eco- system has been altered through at least 5m barrels of oil and 2m gallons of dispersant being spilled into the Gulf.

From The Guardian ● Dec. 26, 2010

The Queensland-based International Centre for Ecotourism Research this year calculated that outdoor tourism—which includes both eco- and adventure tourism—accounts for about one-quarter of Australia's tourism industry and generates about $14 billion in annual revenue.

From Time Magazine Archive